Islam

Its History, Teaching, and Practices

S. A. Nigosian

Publication Year: 2004

This compact introduction to Islam describes the essential aspects of Islam as a living religion and social force. The book is organized around seven topics: the life of Muhammad; Islamic political development and territorial expansion; the important groupings of Islamic believers (Sunni, Shi'ite, and Sufi); the Qur'an (the Holy Book of Islam); Sunnah, Hadith (the record of the Prophet's actions and sayings), and Shari'ah (the compilation of Islamic law); the five Articles of Faith and the so-called Five Pillars of Islam that govern faith and action; and other binding religious observances and festivals. The presentation of these seven aspects of Islam strikes a balance between fact, tradition, current interpretation, and commentary.

S. A. Nigosian underscores two fundamental points: that to understand Islam properly, it is necessary to see it as a major faith tradition, with Muhammad as the last of a series of messengers sent by God; and that to grasp the spirit of Islam, one must recognize its emphasis on an uncompromising monotheism, with strict adherence to certain social, political, and religious practices, as taught by the Prophet and elaborated by tradition.

Title Page, Copyright Page

Contents

List of Maps and Illustrations

Preface

This edition of Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices differs from my previous
edition Islam: The Way of Submission (1987) in several respects. The subject
matter has been recast and appropriate modi¤cations and additions have
been made. But its basic character—to outline the essential aspects of Islam as
a living force, not a systematic exposition of its history or philosophy...

Introduction

Islam is the second largest world religion after Christianity. Its followers today
extend f rom Morocco to the Philippines, and it includes among its adherents
different races and peoples of Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Americas.
In fact, more than three-quarters of the total Muslim population...

1. Muhammad, Messenger of God

Western scholars have always been fascinated by the lives of the world’s
religious leaders who created the faiths that have endured for centuries. Such
individuals, commonly known as founders of religion, possess a unique, uncommon,
or rare¤ed quality of the mind. They see and hear in the “mind’s eye
and ear” that which is hidden from the sight...

2. Islam in History

Serious differences arose within the Islamic community immediately after
Muhammad’s death in 632. The critical issue was the designation of a political
successor only, since a religious successor to Muhammad, the “seal” of the
prophets, was unthinkable...

3. Muslim Groups

Like all other religions, Islam is split into many different groups, and this subdivision
of Islam is similar to other religions in two ways. First, Muslims form
one religious community and their differences do not impair their basic sense
of solidarity as adherents of Islam. In fact, Muslims tend to regard different
Islamic groups as making a positive contribution...

5. Sunnah, Hadith, and Shari"ah

From the very beginning up to the present day, the words and actions
(sunnah, trodden path) of the prophet Muhammad have served as the ideal
model for all Muslim believers to emulate. In other words, the actions, decisions,
and practices that Muhammad approved...

6. Faith and Action

The elaboration of Islamic faith (iman) was greatly accelerated by Islamic
political and social history. For instance, Muslims became acquainted
with Greek thought, particularly with Greek philosophy, through early Christians
and through the conversion to Islam of people who...

7. Observances and Festivals

In addition to the rules of conduct, there are a number of social customs
that are as binding upon Muslims as religious duties are. Four of the most important
ones are associated with birth, circumcision, marriage, and death...

Welcome to Project MUSE

Use the simple Search box at the top of the page or the Advanced Search linked from the top of the page to find book and journal content. Refine results with the filtering options on the left side of the Advanced Search page or on your search results page. Click the Browse box to see a selection of books and journals by: Research Area, Titles A-Z, Publisher, Books only, or Journals only.